Double Exposure Director Responds to Mixed Reviews

Key Takeaways

Life is Strange: Double Exposure has been a very divisive game since it was announced.
The game hasn't slowed down since its release, maintaining “mixed” reviews on Steam.
Double Exposure director Jon Stauder commented on the mixed reviews, saying it was better than a middling response.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure director Jon Stauder responded to the game's “very interesting” mixed reviews and said he thought the divisive response was better than the middling reviews.

Every Life is Strange game has its fans, and the series as a whole is somewhat of a critical darling, but the same can't be said for the latest release, Double Exposure. Bringing back Max Caufield was always going to be a huge task considering how important she was to Life is Strange overall, and it's fair to say the end result didn't surprise everyone.

Filtered Max Caulfield with skulls and pumpkins in the background.

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As we reported yesterday, Life is Strange: Double Exposure is currently the only game in the series to receive “mixed” reviews on Steam. Players consistently comment on the lack of meaningful choices, the lack of treatment of Chloe and Max's relationship, and the ending being polarizing. Why they were disappointed.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure Director Prefers “Strong Reactions”

Max from Life is Strange: Double Exposure "mix" Review tag on Steam.

If you were wondering how Double Exposure developer Deck Nine took the uncontroversial review, wonder no more. GamesRadar+ recently had the opportunity to speak with game director Jon Stauder about the studio's vision for Max's latest adventure, which led to a conversation about the response so far.

When asked his thoughts on the mixed reactions to Double Exposure so far, Stauder pointed out that it's better to have a “strong reaction” to the game than to come out and be “really in the middle.” Better than nothing at all. Stauder also said it was not something he had experienced before and was “very exciting” for him.

We got some really high highs and some really low lows throughout the review, but we think it's better than it comes out and just being in the middle of the pack. Some people are having a strong reaction to it, whether it's positive or negative, and I find that very interesting. – John Stouder

While Stauder and Deck Nine don't seem to care much about the negative response as long as players actually react to the latest game, the director took the opportunity to confirm that Deck Nine always had plans for Max Caufield to return. Stauder said the team looked at what resonated with fans and that Max Caufield's potential as a returning star was “untapped.”

Life is Strange fans are definitely a bit divided on whether Max's return is a good thing for the series or not, but there are also many who like the new direction and would like to see the character return. At least Deck Nine seems to be fully aware of the reaction so far and hasn't slowed down.